Freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezOcasio-Cortez attends Met Gala wearing 'Tax the Rich' dress Ocasio-Cortez fires back at Manchin after he refers to her as 'young lady' The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by National Industries for the Blind - Biden's .5 trillion plan will likely have to shrink MORE (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that any plan to sufficiently address the climate crisis will need to cost at least $10 trillion.
“I think we really need to get to $10 trillion to have a shot,” the progressive firebrand said in response to a question from The Hill in the Capitol.
“I know it’s a ton," she added. "I don’t think anyone wants to spend that amount of money, it’s not a fun number to say, I’m not excited to say we need to spend $10 trillion on climate, but ... it’s just the fact of the scenario.”
Ocasio-Cortez, who helped popularize a set of principles known as the Green New Deal, said that of all the climate plans from the Democratic presidential candidates, she was most supportive of proposals from Gov. Jay Inslee
Jay Robert InsleeWashington state troopers, firefighters sue over vaccine mandate Washington state enacting mask mandate for large outdoor events Seattle arena requiring fans to be vaccinated, wear masks for Kraken games MORE (Wash.), which surpassed $5 trillion, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth WarrenBiden stumps for Newsom on eve of recall: 'The eyes of the nation are on California' Democrats seize momentum as California recall nears finish line By defeating Newsom recall, pro-choice women would send a powerful message MORE (Mass.), which included a $2 trillion green manufacturing element.
She said she was also encouraged that 2020 Democratic front-runner Joe Biden
Joe BidenBiden stumps for Newsom on eve of recall: 'The eyes of the nation are on California' Biden looks to climate to sell economic agenda Family of American held hostage by Taliban urges administration to fire Afghanistan peace negotiator MORE had put out a $5 trillion climate plan, though she criticized the former vice president's proposal for having less-ambitious goals and timelines than others.
All the plans in question could go further, however, she added.
“I think the entire field of climate plans still needs to be pushed,” she said. “I think it just needs to be pushed in terms of the scientific scale, that is scientifically supported in what we need to solve this problem.”
Ocasio-Cortez, whose backing would be a prize for 2020 Democrats seeking the progressive vote, acknowledged that her climate plan price tag would be derided as unrealistic, but argued that it was in line with the scale of the threat.
“It’s not popular, it’s not politically popular. People are going to call it unrealistic, and I just don’t think people understand how bad the problem is,” she said.
